Closed receptacle or case



June 30, 1936. M L 'H 2,046,133

CLOSED RECEPTACLE OR CASE Filed July 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 777cm?! L. fia (h M21 His W June 30, 1936. v M RATHBUN 2,046,133

CLOSED RECEPTACLE OR CASE Filed July 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snmwwkm mm'z/Lmmm Patented June 30, 1936 TES 1 PATENT OFFICE Application daily 2, l9

Serial No. 29,533

This relates to an improvement i receptacles or cases and more particularly to the votal support means for attaching a cover to he body of a receptacle.

The invention is directed to modifications and improvements or" my Patent 1,833,365 which discloses a receptacle having a body portion and cover, these elements being retained in pivotal or hinge lilre engagement with each other through use of one or more springs. The invention is also directed to further improvements over my Patent No. 2,614,951, which discloses modifications prior to those of the present invention. To adapt receptacles utilizing the structure of the above mentioned patents for various uses and to pro duce it in many sizes, advantageous improvcments and changes have been made which constitute the subject matter of the present invention. These improvements include provision for increasing the extent of opening of a cover with respect to the body portion of a receptacle, means for supporting a pivotal intermediate element in the receptacle and utilizing an intermediate element as a complementary connector for the piv otal structure of the body and cover.

The material from which the receptacle and inteanediate element is formed has no bearing he present invention inasmuch as all moldable substances such as rubber, balrelite, and synthetic resins, as well as wood or metal, may be used. I

One of the objects of the invention lies in the provision oi complementary pivotal means in the body and cover of a receptacle, 2. spring being engaged with the body and cover to secure these elements in operable pivotal relationships.

another object of the invention lies in the provision of ofiset complementary pivotal means in the body and cover which permits opening the cover to almost any desired degree.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of one or more intermediate elements in a closed receptacle, said element or elements being pivotal with respect to the body and cover and serving to divide the interior thereof into several compartments.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of means for mounting an intermediate element on a complementary pivot structure.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an intermediate element having a pivot portion complemental to the pivot portions of the body and cover of a receptacle in which said element is mounted.

Another object of the invention lies in the proceptacle involving a further modification oi.

vision of a closed receptacle having dividing element therein which is held in place by the body and cover securing means.

Other and further objects of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration. of the following specification taken in conjunc tion with the accompanying drawings and in which Fig. i is a perspective view of one modification of the invention showing the cover of a receptacle in open position;

Fig. 2 is an. enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of a part of the pivot structure oi the modification of Fig. 1, being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken substantially on the line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially on the line l-- l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a further vertical, sectional view, being taken on the line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the same section line as 4 and shows the cover in extreme open position;

Fig. 'l is an exploded view showing the body, cover, intermediate element and spring in position to be assembled;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of one type of intermediate element which may be secured in and become a part of the pivotal structure U shown in Fig.

9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a modification of'the structure shown in i and shows identical complementary pivot-e3. ele-- ments for both the body portion and cover of the receptacle;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional View taken substantially on a line lit-lo of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical, sectional view of the body and cover of a receptacle in closed position being taken substantially on a line i i-l of Fig.

Mg. 12 is an exploded, vertical, sectional view of the body, cover, intermediate elemental-id spring of the modification of Fig. 9;

, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a case u...'.'

tional views showing the cover in open and closed position respectively, these figures being taken substantially on the line |6|6 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is an exploded fragmentary, sectional view of the structure shown in Figs. 16 and 17;

- generally indicated by the reference numeral l and comprises a, body portion and'cover l2. The body portion H is formed with a rear wall I4 having one or more reinforced portions i5 depending on the size and utility of the case. Along the upper edge of the reinforced portion l5 and projecting rearwardly of the wall' I4 is a rolled portion or bead |6. This bead may be interrupted at one or more places in its length by a recess or slot I! which continues downwardly of the reinforced portion IS. The base wall l8 of the recess is preferably formed in a predetermined curve orprovided with a. projection l9 which terminates in a spring seat 20. The curved portion of the base wall W or the projection l9 serve as a stop to limit opening of the cover to a desired degree by contact thereof with a strap spring which forms part ofthe structure. The

side and front walls 2| and 22 of thebody portion H are of any desired shape and may be optionally formed with or without projecting edges or recesses with which to engage a cover l2 for the purpose of providing an overlapping or interfitting when the cover the body DOrtion.

The rear wall 25 of the cover I2 is formed with one or more reinforced portions 26, these portions corresponding in number and location with the reinforced portions l5 of the body portion The portion 26 terminates along its lower edge in a recess or seat 28 which receives and is complemental to the bead I6 of the body portion The reinforced portion 26 is also interrupted by one or more recesses or slots 29 which correspond in position to the recess and'has a curved base wall 30 which terminates in a spring seat 3|;

Adjacent the aligned recesses l1 and 29 of the rear walls of the body portion and cover there may be provided, as deemed necessary,-coinplementary engageable portions such as lugs 33 and recess 35. The number of lugs, contour thereof, and corresponding number and contour of recesses, is largely dependent on the type, size and material from which the receptacle is made. When the cover is c osed upon the body portion, the lug of one element of the receptacle projects into the recess of the other element and prevents twisting or misalignment of the cover with respect to the body portion.

It is found desirable in certain types of closed receptacles to provide an intermediate element which may divide the interior of the receptacle into several compartments. Provision in the is closed down upon.

in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The rear edge of the element is formed with one or more arms 4| which in side elevation are substantially circular and have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bead i6. Suitably located slots or recesses 43 are made in the bead IE to receive the arms 4|. A slot 44 is made in the rear edge of the element 40, preferably mid-way of the arms 4|, to permit mounting a spring 45. The forward edge of the element 40 may be formed with a tab 46 which will fit into a shallow recess 4'! in the frontwall 22 of the body portion H.

To aid in assembling the structure above debody portion and" also that arms 4| fill the 20 recesses 43 and complete the broken contour of the bead l6 so that cover l2 may be mounted on the body portion and recess 28 receive the bead l6 and arms 4|. One end of the spring 45 is now projected through the slot 44 and caused to engage the seat 20of the body portion. Pressure is now applied mid-way of the spring and the other end thereof snaps into engagement with the seat 3| of the cover. The receptacle is now assembled and since the spring seats are offset from the pivot center, the cover will be caused to move under spring tension into open or closed position. In view of the fact that the bead I6 is rearwardlyv offset from the rear wall of the body portion, it is possible for the cover l2 to 35 swing about the bead during the act of opening beyond a.-90 degree position. The extent 'of opening is, therefore, controlled by two elements of the structure, namely, the extent of offset of the bead and the size or location of projection l9.- If the projection I9 is of sufficient height, opening will be controlled by the central portion of the spring contacting with this projection. On the other hand, if this projection is not of sufficient height, the cover may swing into a position such that the rear edge thereof contacts the rear wall of the body portion directly beneath the offset head. It is contemplated that the bead may be set rearwardly sufficiently to adapt receptacles having the pivotal connection above.

described for all practical uses. Attention is also directed to the fact that when the cover is in open position as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the intermediate element 40 may be moved about its pivot point and swung forwardly into position within the cover l2 in order to expose the compartment formed by the body portion. Thus, independent movement of the intermediate element is possible when the receptacle is open and the intermediate element will, when out of position, be moved into position within the body portion when the cover is again moved to close the receptacle. I

Reference is now had more particularly to Figures 9 to 12 inclusive wherein is shown a modification of the invention above described. In this instance the receptacle comprises two,

One only, therefore,'will be described in When these from the previously described receptacle ill only in the pivotal supporting structure. The rear wall 5! is formed with a central spring receiving portion 52. This portion includes an inwardly sloped wall 53 which terminates in a horizontal shoulder 5%. Continuing downwardly within the body portion from the shoulder 5% is a curved wall 55 which terminates in a spring seat 5'5. When two identical elements are fitted together to form a closed receptacle (see Fig. 11) the shoulder to of one element abuts the shoulder 5 of the other element and these elements are held in place by a spring 553. To one side or the central portion 52 is a bead bi which projects above and slightly to the rear of the wall 56 (see Fig. ill). On the other side of the portion is a recess or depression '6 l. The recess ill is formed in an are having the same radius as the radius for the bead ill, both being developed on a common axis. It will be noted that the inwardly sloped Wall 533 meets shoulder 58 at a point exactly on center with the-radius center of both the bead El) and recess 6i. Consequently, when the cover of the receptacle is moved to open position there will be no interference as between portions 52 of the body portion and cover of the receptacle. wall 53 a lug is provided. At the other side of the portion is a recess 56 which is of a size and shape to receive a lug in the cover correspending to the log '33. When two identical receptacle elements are brought together in opposed relationship, it is found that the bead of one element enters the recess 53 of the other and vice versa. This is also true of lugs recesses Since the highestpoint oi" the central portion at the of rotation of each element there "will no interference from this portion of the structure when cover is moved from one position to another. The rec 58 be to provide a single comp -rav n or include an element 32- (s notrn in Fig. 8). in the latter case recess out into the the body 'cortion and cover eler ents which corresponds to recess cs of the mod atlcri of Fig I this instance, however, arms 58 oi the inter. e element CD are fitted one into bead l. body bor tion and the other into the b I the r elements a.c

into engage"; 1 seats the element will function as beretolore described.

It will be noted in the modification of 1, that the body position, which "icludes a bead. iii, is not identical in structure with over and therefore if the receptacle two different shaped molds must be provided to produce one receptacle. However, the of the modification o-- 1,. 9, it is possible to a completed rece'o ole hiclcding body portion and cover through use of only one mold since these elements are and adapted to be fitted together as described Reference is load to '2. ures 13 to 20 inclusive coverin iflcation of the invention. Toe open rece .c shown in 33 of the drawings and generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 prises a body portion ill and cover The ody portion 5 may take any desired shape and be provided with shallow recess id in the f ont Wall The rear walll6 of time body no tion is reinforced and provided with spring seat ll At one side of the portion 532 in the which connects through a curved surface 18 with an upwardly opening arcuate recess 00. Although the spring seat H and wall 78 are located only at such points as a spring may be required, the recess 90 extends the full length of the rear wall it. The cover 142 for purposes of illustration may be identical with the body portion just described, being provided with a reinforced rear wall 8!, spring seat 32, curved wall 33, and arcuate recess 85. Recesses 86 and 35 are produced i on the same radius. The front wall of the cover is recessed at 35 to correspond with the recess M of the body portion.

An intermediateelement 33 is located in the receptacle ill for the purpose of dividing the 1 interior into two or more compartments. As heretofore mentioned, an intermediate element of a receptacle of this type may be formed from any suitable material depending on its utility. It will, however, be most generally used as a double faced, mirror and will conform to the inner contour of the receptacle. The forward edge of the element has a tab 33S which is adapted to be flush with the exterior front edges of the body portion and cover, this being made 1305- 35 sible by the combined opening produced by recesses 7 3 and 86 when the cover l2 is closed upon the body portion H (see 15). The rear edge of the element IE8 may be rolled, molded or developed in any other suitable way into a 39 9d. The radius of this bead isldentical with the radius from which recesses 85 and SE of the body portion and cover were developed. side edges of the element US and cut cartly into the bead is slot or open is in vertica of the body so looting spring as theretnrough to seats. The bead the element place of and Mates the necessity LW bead. on eltl body portion closed in the mo inates the neces two parts, one on body portion 2 til be utilised Without element M the body and cover could be ides l and formed. with arcuate recesses fill 85 and a suitable tab or rod mounted in recs i the entire structure being held "261;. spring; 93. It will be understood that 5118 eral design of receptor: s shown and de- :and described without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I: claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:-

1. A receptacle comprising a bexiy portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and said cover, spring means securing said means in operable pivotal relationship, said pivotal means being outwardly offset to increase the pivotal range of said body portion and said cover..

2. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and said cover, spring means securing said pivotal means in operable pivotal relationship, said pivotal means being rearwardly ofiset to increase one o! the complementary surfaces thereof, whereby to increase the pivotal range of'said body portion and said cover.

3. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and said cover, spring means securing said pivotal means in operable pivotal relationship, said pivotal means including a head on one element of said receptacle, said bead being rearwardly odset to increase the circumferential surface thereof whereby to increase the relative piveta! range of said body portion and said cover.

4. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and cover, an intermediate element in said receptacle, means mounting said element iorpivotal movement relative to said body por tion and said cover, and spring means securing said element means in operable pivotal relationship.

5. A receptacle comprising a body portion an cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and cover, an intermediate element in said receptacle, means mounting said element for pivotal movement relative to said body Portion and said cover, and spring means seeming the element mounting means in said receptacle, said spring means also serving to secure said pivotal means in operable relationship.

6. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and cover, an intermediate element in said receptacle, pivotal means on said element, said means interfitting with said complementary means, and spring means securing said complementary means and said pivotal means in operable relationship.

'7. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, an intermediate element, complementary pivotal means in said body portion, cover and intermediate element, spring means securing said pivotal means in operable position.

8. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, an intermediate element dividing the interlor of said receptacle intocornpartments, eooperatingplvotal means in said body portion, cover and intermediate element, spring means engaged with and serving to secure said body portion and said cover in operable pivotal relationship, said body portion and said cover togethpivotal relationship.

relationship.

osages er mounting and securing said intermediate ele- 7 went for independent pivotal movement.

9. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means'ln said body portion and said cover, an intermediate element dividing the lnterior'oi said receptacle into compartments, pivotal means on said element, spring means serving to secure said body portion and said cover in operable pivotal relationship and to secure said element pivotal means to permit in-- dependent movement of said element relative to said body portion and said cover.

10. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal means in said body portion and said cover,-said means being sub- 1 stantlally identical in both elements of said receptacle whereby either element may represent the cover or body portion and spring means for se curing said body portion and cover in operable 11. A receptacle comprising a body portion and cover, complementary pivotal portions in said body portion and said cover, a spring seat in said body portion and said cover, the seat 01' each el ment of said receptacle serving to separate the dissimilar pivotal portions of that element, and a spring engaged with said seats for securing said body portion and said cover in operable pivotal 1 relationship.

12. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, an intermediate elernent in said receptacle, complementary pivotal means in said intermediate elernent and said body portionvand said cover, and a spring for securing all of said elements together operable pivotal relationship.

13. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, an intermediate element dividing the interior of said receptacle into compartments, complementary pivotal means in said intermediate element and said body portion and said cover, a spring for securing said means in and spring means engaged with said body portion v and said cover serving to secure all of, the slo ments or said receptacle in operable pivotal 15. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, an arcuate seat on the pivot wall of said body portion and said cover, an intermediate element dividing the interior of said receptacle into compartments, a head on said intermediate element, said head lnterfitting with said seats, and spring means projecting through an opening in said intermediate element and engaged with said body portion and said cover, said 5 spring means serving to secure all of the elements of said receptacle in operable pivotal relationship. I 16. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, an intermediate element dividing the interior of said receptacle 7 into compartments, complementary pivotal means in said intermediate element and said body portion'and said cover, spring seats in said .body portion and said cover, a spring projecting through an opening in said intermediate element engaged with said spring seats, said spring serving to secure said complementary pivotal means in operable position, said intermediate element being pivotally movable with either element of said receptacle or independently thereof.

1'1. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, pivotal means on the body portion and cover, a part of the pivotal means of one element of the receptacle being complemental to another part of the pivotal means of the same element, and spring means for securing the elements 0! the receptacle in operable pivotal relationship.

18. A receptacle comprising elements constituting a body portion and cover, pivotal means in the body portion and cover, said pivotal means including a bead and seat on each element, the bead and seat of one element interfitting with the bead and seat of the other element, and means for securing the elements in operable pivotal relationship.

MERRILL L. RA'I'HBUN. 

